The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters of Love”. Each “letter” tells of love in one of its many forms from a separate point of view. Benicia is represented prominently in the letters because of Garrett’s deep fondness for the city of Benicia. He hopes readers see themselves or others they know in the letters because the concept of “Love” is universal.

Hello Jim,
“What about tomorrow?” popped out of my mouth so fast it would have challenged the speed of light.
Sarah was standing one step from me. Sixth period had just ended and we were standing in the “L” wing hallway. I had finally gotten the courage to ask her to go to a movie with me. That’s when she told me she wasn’t able to go that evening. I felt I had to ask for the next closest time or I might never get the chance again.
The next night went very well. When we were sitting waiting for the movie to start, she started laughing. When I asked what she was laughing about, she told me if I had asked her to the movies for the night before sooner she would have gone. As it was she had a date with another guy in the same theater that night. She saw the same movie two nights in a row, but she appeared to be viewing it for the first time.
When I picked her up that night, she slipped an arm around mine when we left her home and again when we were walking into the theater. When we left the theater, she put her hand in mine. We held hands for the remainder of the evening every chance we got. After she first put her hand in mine, I was more than enthused to initiate the hand holding.
When I was taking her home, she asked if I would like to sit and listen to music at her home. Not being a total idiot I said it would be great to sit and listen to music with her.
Sarah’s parents were sitting in the living room watching television when we got back to her home. They asked how the evening had gone and if we had a good time. It seemed like they had known me forever.
Then Sarah and I went to the kitchen where she got us cookies and milk. Then we went to the den to listen to music.
I learned so much about Sarah that evening listening to music with her. All the lights in the den were on all the time, her parents were in the adjoining room, and all Sarah and I did was eat and listen to music.
Neither of us felt any pressure, at least I know I didn’t and she didn’t seem to. She played music of which I was very familiar and music I had never before heard. That evening she started a symphony in my heart which had begun with a few hopeful notes while sitting behind her in that sixth period class at Benicia High School.
Matt

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love”, “The Mansion Stories”, “Chief Salt”, and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work titled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.”
He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

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